If you wore metal dental braces when you were younger, you probably remember the restrictions on what you could eat, the rubber bands, and the frequent visits to the dentist. You might also remember how long it took before your teeth were pronounced straight and the braces were removed. After all of that, it can be disappointing to nd that your teeth are once again in need of straightening. Why does that happen, and is there a dierent option for straightening your teeth now? Here’s what you need to know about straightening your teeth a second time.
Why Would You Need Braces Again?
Metal braces do the job, but it doesn’t always last forever.
There are a few reasons why you might need a second round of braces. Many dental patients wore braces when they were children. After the braces were removed, your mouth continued to change as you aged. Perhaps new teeth grew in, crowding the existing teeth and causing them to shift. Permanent adult rst and second molars don’t grow in until somewhere between 10 and 13 years of age, and wisdom teeth come in around adulthood, between 17 and 21 years of age. These adult teeth may have disrupted the evenness of your teeth.
If you were given a retainer to wear after you were done with braces but failed to wear it as your dentist prescribed, or if you stopped wearing it too early, your teeth might have shifted back toward their old, pre-braces positions. Also, if you experienced any trauma to your mouth and teeth, that could have caused shifting that resulted in crooked teeth.
Invisalign vs. Metal Braces
Even if you’re eager to correct the alignment of your teeth, you may not be excited about a return to metal braces. Many adults dislike the look of metal braces – they remember wearing them as children or seeing them on other children and feel that braces will give them a childish look. You may also be concerned about having to limit your diet to accommodate the braces. Additionally, if you’re prone to cavities, you may be concerned about being able to brush properly – it’s not hard to miss spots underneath the metal and develop cavities. The last thing that you want is even more dental work.
If you have these concerns, Invisalign might be a perfect choice for you. Your dentist will have to evaluate whether or not you’re a good candidate for Invisalign based on your dental health and history, but having worn braces in the past is not a problem for Invisalign patients.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign can straighten your teeth without making it obvious that you’re wearing braces.
Invisalign addresses most of the concerns that you might have about metal braces. Invisalign aligners are clear, so they won’t have much of an eect on your appearance. They’re also removable, which means that you’ll be able to eat what you like and brush thoroughly. There are no wires or rubber bands to deal with, which means that you won’t have to visit the dentist as often. You will still need periodic checkups on your progress. However, the dental visits you do have won’t be as uncomfortable as you may remember them being when you had wire braces to adjust.
If you’re interested in Invisalign, whether or not you’ve worn braces in the past, it’s important to talk to your dentist about your tooth straightening options. To make an appointment, contact us today.